The city has been working with the company, the mall's current owner, to find a developer for the downtown facility, according to Mayor Pro Tem Paul Foster.

"The council has had a very strong interest in getting the mall rehabilitated or having someone come in and take the mall down and build something new," he said. "There have been a number of proposals over the years to demolish the mall and re-open State Street all the way through."

That plan has been previously discussed to include townhomes above retail stores. City officials said the possibility of converting the mall to Safety Hall has been eliminated.

On Feb. 4, the city sent out requests for quotations to developers to solicit interest in the property, according to Redlands' economic development manager, Mike Nelson. Three interested parties toured the mall with city officials and members of Howard Hughes Corp. on Feb. 20, Nelson said.

"We're pleased that after years of asking the mall owners to either develop the property or sell the property, that they are heeding our advice," Mayor Pete Aguilar said.

The mall was built in 1977. It was closed in 2010. CVS Pharmacy occupies just under 15 percent of the building.

Also included in the property is the island featuring a Denny's restaurant, Union Bank and Mattress Showroom.

The future buyer will absorb the leases of the current tenants, but could have the option of buying them out.

A portion of the parking spaces are included in the sale, but the city owns the rest of the parking lot and the underground parking facility, Aguilar said.

"It's difficult for the mall owners to move forward and sell the mall without the city's cooperation," Aguilar said of the parking situation.

The future owners must strike a deal with the Howard Hughes Corp., develop a design and perform the necessary work, which could take several years, said Nelson.

Howard Hughes Corp. hired the real estate firm Cushman and Wakefield of San Diego. to market the property. No price has been set and offers are due March 21. The brokerage firm was unable to be reached by phone Friday evening.

"We anticipate we will be working with them to find the best qualified developer for the project," Nelson said. "Even though we may find a very qualified development team, the key is that they need to negotiate a purchase with the Howard Hughes Corp."

Howard Hughes Corp. is also seeking offers for the Promenade, an area of land off Eureka Street near the 10 Freeway. In May, four dilapidated buildings on that property were demolished.

Both the Promenade and Redlands Mall were acquired by Howard Hughes Corp. from General Growth Properties, when General Growth suffered financial troubles, said Nelson.

City Council members expressed their personal wishes for the property. Aguilar said he would like to see a combination of retail and residential locations.

"I want to see the mall and that area in that part of town turned into an economic generator for the city, something that complements the historic nature of the city," Foster said.

"I just hope whoever buys it has an investment in the community so they just don't sit on it like the last developer did," she said. "If the new owner doesn't quickly do something to rehabilitate that space so that it contributes to our economy, I believe the city is obligated to take action."